KVR Audio

disturb · Post by **disturb** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:19 am

Hi folks,
This one is especially for all the eXT, buzz, bidule, console etc users.
I currently own energyXt, and i love it for a lot of reasons, but that's not the point here...

The thing is, i've been using it for a little while now and i must say that besides the confort it provides me for chaining fxs, setting up sidechain comp, and fiddling with midi data and automations, i realise that most of my routings are quite linear and could probably be done in a non-modular environment (with more hassle obviously, but still...).
The deeper i've gotten was setting an output to an fx switcher and automate the output going from one to another (i guess that's pretty basic though).

What i'm trying to say here, is that i'm obviously not thinking 'modular' enough and i'm probably missing a lot of the potential that is available at my fingertips.

-So all you 'modulars' what do you do with your host that would be impossible otherwise ?

Any insight will be appreciated !

cheers

cron · Post by **cron** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:21 am

Feedback.

I'm not sure if EnergyXT can do feedback actually, but it's no problem in Audiomulch.

disturb · Post by **disturb** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:28 am

i forgot about audiomulch :-p
and actually no i can't connect a module's output to its own input, but maybe there is a work around?

Amberience · Post by **Amberience** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:43 am

Yeah. XT can't do feedback unfortunately.

I've not really used Audiomulch that much, just doesn't look my cup of tea visually. I've used Max/MSP quite a bit, and now I'm also starting to use Reaktor.

I dunno... i get something from modular hosts that I don't get from linear hosts. I get the feeling of freedom, I can do things in whatever ways I choose, and I'm not fixed into a way of working.

disturb · Post by **disturb** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:50 am

max/msp and reaktor are modular instruments where you use basic modules and build from that, as opposed to modular hosts where you use ready built instruments and fxs but get to route their i/o signals quite flexibly.
That's really not the same topic to me...

Caleb · Post by **Caleb** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:53 am

I believe in EnergyXT you can do feedback loops via Senderella?

Caleb

Amberience · Post by **Amberience** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:21 pm

Not a viable work around imho Caleb. Max is a modular host, you can load in vsti's ... Reaktor isn't, but I get the same freedom from it.

inkinen · Post by **inkinen** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:13 pm

caleb> senderella can be used in energyxt for feedback loops BUT there is a slight delay so it will eventually sound quite metallic after the sound has travelled round the feedback loop for a number of times..

disturb · Post by **disturb** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:16 pm

indeed it sounds quite metallic...

anyways, aren't there some other non linear 'modularities' besides feedback? You guys don't want to give your tricks right

tetraplan · Post by **tetraplan** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:19 pm

disturb wrote:i forgot about audiomulch :-p
and actually no i can't connect a module's output to its own input, but maybe there is a work around?

In 'Mulch, it's a doddle. Be sure to insert a gain-contraption in the feedback path.

Sometimes my patches are (semi)linear, sometimes they're not. I've stopped caring about it and are now simply enjoying the freedom 'Mulch gives me.

A very important thing is that it forces me to think outside the box. Try setting up something (semi)melodic without resorting to EnergyXTVST or the Bassline contraption.
The main thing it taught me is to regard the program (or even the whole computer, in the case of my Shuttle) as an instrument rather than as Yet Another Platform.

The above is strictly personal of course. Mileages may vary.

Groet, Erik

tetraplan · Post by **tetraplan** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:21 pm

disturb wrote:anyways, aren't there some other non linear 'modularities' besides feedback? You guys don't want to give your tricks right

Sure. Trees of modulating oscillators. Tapping an incoming signal and sending it to wherever.

Groet, Erik

blurk · Post by **blurk** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:26 pm

Well, one of the things I like about modular hosts is that even if the connections are relatively simple, you get strong visual feedback of those connections. I use FL and Bidule. Now, in FL I believe you can set up some quite flexible routings, but it involves assigning port numbers, and you don't have a visual overview of what is connected to what. But in Bidule, you can see the connections immediately. I think it is the same in many (all?) other modular hosts. Certainly what I've seen of Audiomulch and Energy XT suggests this is the case. This alone is a compelling feature for me. Add to that the potential for much more flexible routing, and you're on a winner.

spacefox · Post by **spacefox** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:27 pm

Audio isn't everything, you know.

Try routing MIDI drums parts as basslines, sending same notes to couple of instruments - with arps and chord tools in the middle. Try sending several MIDI parts to the same instrument.

Now put some MIDI controlled audio effects into the loop to make it really interesting.

soma · Post by **soma** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:43 pm

Mixing/blending/grouping/ungrouping (you don't even need such abstract ideas anymore).
I like modularity because I can set up an effects flow a reailze that another instrument should have some or all of the effects I already laid out and I don't have to take them out of an insert and make them a group or a send or what ever. All I have to do is move a few connections and adjust some levels.
Buzz is the best for this. eXT will get better when/if ever Jorgen allows level adjust of each audio line instead of each VST.

Other great things are macro-izing setups. If you make a unique effect that is a peice meal of other effects you just save it to a box and reuse it.

Alowing singnals to control other signals. HAve the drums control the filter of a lead. Set up a vocoder no problem. Side chain one group compress another. Let the vocals gate the feedback of a delay (via audio to midi controling a VST parameter).

Algrrythmic compositions. Letting one ting control teh sequencing of others. This can be done with midi controlling midi controlling midi, etc. or with feedback, or audio to midi to audio to midi etc. it's endless. I have set ups where all I do is make a quck sound and it kicks off whole "songs".

This is only the begining. I've only had success with modular hosts so when ever I have to use a linear one (like for films) the music has a tatoaly differnt persona and it takes me 4 times longer to be satisfied with my work.

disturb · Post by **disturb** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:24 pm

spacefox : 99% of my composing is done with midi, i was just mentionning audio referring to signals and fxs.

soma : maybe i need to get used to the idea that the 'rules' are yet to be made and just try to experiment more...

To modular hosts users...